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Ohio
Governor Signs
LGBT
Executive Order
by
365Gay.com From the Web, May 17, 2007
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Columbus, Ohio -- Ohio Gov.
Ted Strickland signed an Executive Order Thursday protecting more than 60,000
state employees from discrimination based upon their sexual orientation or
gender identity.
"Because of the contributions that State employees make, their colleagues and
supervisors should treat them with respect and dignity," the order says.
It also says that the state government must compete for the best employees it
can obtain.
"Discriminatory conduct in hiring and other employment related decisions
undermines the State’s ability to attract and retain the best possible
employees."
Strickland's order notes that LGBT discrimination is currently occurring in the
state government.
"Information compiled by the Ohio Civil Rights Commission documents ongoing and
past discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity in
employment-related decisions by personnel at Ohio agencies, boards and
commissions," the executive order says.
"Such discriminatory conduct undermines the effectiveness of employees
discriminated against, prevents the State from attracting the best available
talent to work on behalf of the people of Ohio, and offends basic notions of
human dignity."
Strickland's move was lauded by Equality Ohio, the statewide LGBT civil rights
organization and called on lawmakers to pass ensuring rights for LGBT workers
throughout Ohio.
“When it comes to how we treat lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender citizens
and their families, it is high time to align Ohio’s laws and policies with the
values of its people," said Lynne Bowman, the organizations executive director.
Bowman said that the Executive Order "will nudge Ohio out of dead-last place"
among all the states and the District of Columbia when looking at a broad range
of legislative protections for LGBT people and families. Before the
Executive Order, Ohio was ranked 51st according to a study by the Equality Ohio
Education Fund she said.
“Ohio currently places near the bottom in every important national economic
indicator,” said Bowman. “Governor Strickland understands that in order to
be economically competitive, Ohio must create an environment that will attract
businesses, employees, and families.”
But Strickland said Thursday that the state's constitutional amendment banning
same-sex marriage would likely thwart any attempt to pass a statewide ban on
LGBT discrimination in the workplace.
Strickland said that if such a bill passed it likely would be struck down by the
courts.
Bowman disputes the governor's reading of the law, saying there was no way the
two issues are linked in the state Constitution. Bowman said a
non-discrimination bill is being prepared called on Strickland to support it.
Eighty-eight percent of fortune 500 companies and many of Ohio’s own largest
corporations already have banned discrimination in employment based on sexual
orientation including Wendy’s International, Abercrombie & Fitch, Cooper Tire &
Rubber, Nationwide, NCR and Owens Corning.
A number of Ohio cities, including Cincinnati, Toledo, Athens, Cleveland,
Columbus, and Yellow Springs all have protections in place.
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